The Magic Flute
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Magic Flute is an opera composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the popular form of a Singspiel, that includes both singing and spoken dialogue.
The Magic Flute Cast Members
Vale Rideout (Tamino)
American tenor Vale Rideout has garnered critical acclaim for his musical artistry and superb stagecraft throughout the United States and Europe. Possessed of both a beautiful instrument and an ability to consistently deliver passionate, energetic performances, he is equally in demand for leading tenor roles from the standard repertory to contemporary premiere works.
Jennifer Nagy (Pamina)
Blessed with a gorgeous soprano voice, Jennifer Nagy sings the demanding role of Pamina, the love interest of Tamino and the daughter of the Queen of the Night.
Kevin Burdette (Papageno)
The young American Bass Kevin Burdette has already impressed audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with his mellifluous voice and strongly dramatic characterizations. The San Francisco Chronicle called his Leporello "a tour de force of vocal splendor and comic timing."
Lisanne Norman Brooks (Papagena)
Lisanne Norman’s beautiful coloratura voice has been described as one of "limitless power and faultless technique." She possesses a versatile sound that lends itself to both musical theater and opera.
Zdenek Plech (Sarastro)
Bass, Zdenek Plech has been engaged as a soloist with the National Theatre in Prague since 2004.
Anna-Lisa Hackett (Queen of the Night)
Anna-Lisa Hackett is a star in the making with a powerful voice and an incredible range.
Carroll Freeman (Director)
Carroll Freeman was recently named Classical Singer magazine's "2010 Stage Director of the Year."
Gabriel Gargari (Monostatos)
A first-generation Mexican-American, Gabriel Gargari has become one of America’s most sought-after young character tenors.
The Magic Flute Story
Three ladies in the service of the Queen of the Night save the fainting Prince Tamino from a serpent ("A serpent! A monster!"). When they leave to tell the queen, the bird catcher Papageno bounces in and boasts to Tamino that it was he who killed the creature ("I'm Papageno"). The ladies return to give Tamino a portrait of the queen's daughter, Pamina, who they say is enslaved by the evil Sarastro, and they padlock Papageno's mouth for lying. Tamino falls in love with Pamina's face in the portrait ("This portrait's beauty"). The queen, appearing in a burst of thunder, is grieving over the loss of her daughter; she charges Tamino with Pamina's rescue ("My fate is grief"). The ladies give a magic flute to Tamino and silver bells to Papageno to ensure their safety, appointing three spirits to guide them ("Hm! hm! hm! hm!").
Sarastro's slave Monostatos pursues Pamina ("You will not dare escape") but is frightened away by the feather-covered Papageno, who tells Pamina that Tamino loves her and intends to save her. Led by the three spirits to the Temple of Sarastro, Tamino is advised by a high priest that it is the queen, not Sarastro, who is evil. Hearing that Pamina is safe, Tamino charms the animals with his flute, then rushes to follow the sound of Papageno's pipes. Monostatos and his cohorts chase Papageno and Pamina but are left helpless by Papageno's magic bells. Sarastro, entering in great ceremony ("Long life to Sarastro"), promises Pamina eventual freedom and punishes Monostatos. Pamina is enchanted by a glimpse of Tamino, who is led into the temple with Papageno.
Sarastro tells his priests that Tamino will undergo initiation rites ("O Isis and Osiris"). Monostatos tries to kiss the sleeping Pamina ("Men were born to be great lovers"). He is discovered by the Queen of the Night, who dismisses him. She gives her daughter a dagger with which to murder Sarastro ("Here in my heart, Hell's bitterness").
The weeping Pamina is confronted and consoled by Sarastro ("Within our sacred temple"). Tamino and Papageno are told by a priest that they must remain silent and refrain from eating, a vow that Papageno immediately breaks when he takes a glass of water from a flirtatious old lady. The old lady vanishes when he asks her name. The three spirits appear to guide Tamino through the rest of his journey and to tell Papageno to be quiet. Tamino remains silent even when Pamina appears, which breaks her heart since she cannot understand his reticence ("Now my heart is filled with sadness").
The priests inform Tamino that he has only two more trials to complete his initiation ("Why, beloved, must we part?"). Papageno longs for a cuddly wife but settles for the old lady. When he promises to be faithful she turns into a young Papagena but soon disappears.
After many dangers, Pamina and Tamino are reunited and face the ordeals of water and fire protected by the magic flute.
Papageno is saved from attempted suicide by the spirits who remind him that if he uses his magic bells he will find true happiness. When he does, Papagena appears and the two plan for the future and move into a bird's nest ("Pa-pa-pa…"). The Queen of the Night, her three ladies and Monostatos attack the temple but are defeated and banished. Sarastro joins Pamina and Tamino as the people hail Isis, Osiris and the triumph of courage, virtue and wisdom.
© Copyright OPERA NEWS 2007. Reprinted with permission